Sharks want a balanced game
The Sharks will be looking for a perfect balance in their game as they look adopt a more attacking approach in this year's Currie Cup.
Tries will be the main goal for Durban side going forward in this year's domestic competition, but they also acknowledged that they would need to make the correct decisions on the field when they do attack.
"That's the style we want to play – within reason of course," Sharks assistant coach Sean Everitt explained .
"There is a risk that comes with playing in all areas of the field, so we will keep that in mind, but certainly what we are trying to create is a positive, attacking mindset and play to where the space is available to us."
Everitt said the team tried to implement a positive mindset during Super Rugby, but fell short in areas such as execution and decision making.
"In Super Rugby we tried to create a positive mindset and encouraged the guys to have a go, but there has to be a balance. The stats tell you that if you play rugby in the wrong areas of the field, you don't succeed, so we want to make sure that we execute accurately.
"We're not going to go back from what we tried in Super Rugby, but we are working hard on our core skills."
The Sharks coach used the Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and Highlanders as an example of the type of the rugby they want to play in Durban, but admits the team still needs more development to reach that level.
"It was a great game of rugby, but despite all the attacking, defences were very good. Ultimately that's in the direction we’d like to go in, but it is a process and our players need to develop to be able to execute that plan.
"The mindset at The Sharks is that we want to play to where the space is and attack there, but it is a process and we will get better as the season progresses
"Obviously we were disappointed with our Super Rugby season, but it does give us the opportunity to win the support back from our fans and get a new Currie Cup season on track.
"We couldn't ask for more than what the players are giving us at the moment, they're extremely excited and determined to do well this year," said Everitt.
The backs coach believes they have the right players to play the game they want to and to test the Currie Cup's best defences.
"A number of players have come through the junior levels at The Sharks and we’ve had some new senior acquisitions which balances the squad out quite well, so from the backs' point of view, we’re really excited.
"We want to get our hands on the ball and force the opposition defence to work very hard to stop us. Hopefully if we execute well, we'll have a very exciting Currie Cup," he added.
With the Springboks on international duty and a number of new players joining the squad, Everitt says there is healthy competition to nail a spot in the starting team.
"Training has been really good, everyone has embraced the new players who have come in and there is a lot of enthusiasm which is always the case at the start of the Currie Cup.
"All the players are keen to fight for a place in the starting line-up and with the Springboks away for the tournament, everyone sees that there is an opportunity for them to prove themselves."
Source: sharksrugby.co.za
